Just for a Laugh

Image on a tshirt I saw at the Warehouse

10 Years

Well nearly 11 years ago on a holiday in the Tongan islands I met a handsome, dark stranger. Just a few weeks later I returned home to New Zealand...but after a couple of months he followed me. No this isn't something creepy! This was the start of my relationship with the man who is now my husband.
And today is the day that we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. 10 years! Wow that's a long time.
It was a difficult start for us as we fought with the immigration to allow Paula to be in this country and in the end we decided that the best way to beat them was to get married. So that's the reason we actually got married in the first place but of course we also wanted to commit to each other for life.
We have been through and achieved so much in these ten years-my teaching degree, Paula's masonry certificate, setting up our own company, buying a house, returning to the islands around 6 times, supporting each other through illness, death in the family, our own three unsuccessful pregnancies and our biggest and most precious achievement of all are these two beautiful girls...

We really compliment each other, we work well together, we are understanding of each other, we appreciate each other and we love each other. Well that's my side of the story anyway!

And yes that picture at the top is us on our wedding day! I was a poor student. Paula arrived in NZ with about $5 in his pocket. We married at the Registry Office in front of my parents and 3 friends then had a picnic afternoon tea in the botanic gardens, dinner at The Dux and a couple of nights in a camping ground in Hanmer. Might sound pretty average but it was all we could manage at the time and looking bcak I don't think I'd have it any other way.

Wardrobe Wednesday-something I made?

I have failed to meet the challenge this week sorry ladies!

The two items of clothing that I have made for myself were already shown in the past few weeks. This butterfly skirt and this floral skirt and it's too warm today to wear these wrist warmers.

Anyway today I had hubby at home to take my photo and he said "you don't always have to stand straight looking at the camera!" and he took it upon himself to take the photo on a bit of an angle too.

Top from....you guessed it, Glassons

Merino jersey (with favourite fantail) from Shanton. I have quite a few of these in my drawer-so warm and comfy but nice and light too.

Just Jeans jeans again

Necklace-a new aquisition from Postie

And my wedding rings from my husband of course....because today is a special day...read my next post

So did you meet the challenge?

To see who the other clever and crafty mummas are have a look at Green Valley Crafts

Fantail Finds on Felt

I love fantails. You could say I'm big fantail fan! These are some of my favourite fantail finds on Felt

10-pack Cards

furchin

$35.00

Black Fantail Earrings

muzroom

$14.00

Tea Towel - Fantail ...

sandrawaine

$12.00

Cushion Cover

pip-squeak

$40.00

Fantail Wall Clock

laserline

$65.00

Fantail Cushion - Gr...

furchin

$45.00

Fantail - Brown

furchin

$6.50

Original Moki Bag In...

mokidesignz

$45.00

Bird Brooch Zippityd...

zippitydoodah

$32.00

"fantail" Organic A...

seedling

$30.00

Fantail Cross Stitch...

thestitchsmith

$30.00

Red T-shirt, With Bl...

sminkster

$18.00

My Garden

Just thought I'd share some favourite flowers from my garden. It's looking particularly beautiful at this time of the year. I have a real pink/purple/blue theme going on. The Aquilegas or Granny Bonnet's are an absolute favourite of mine. I love their shape and colour and abundance in my garden.

I think that is the prettiest pink ever

Or is that the prettiest pink ever?

How is your garden looking? And what is your favourite flower?

Wardrobe Wednesday-floral

Up until recently I would have struggled to find anything floral in my wardrobe. But a while a go I bought these tunic tops and also made myself a skirt that I talked about here, all of which are floral. Go me-really stepping out of my comfort zone of mainly plain!
Today I am wearing:

The skirt that I made myself out of $4 curtains from the Sallies
Tshirt from Postie-I know a bit boring in black but I can't find a top that is the right shade of blue that is in the skirt.
Same shoes as last week

Photo makes me look like a giant. That fence is 1.8m and I look taller than it!

Head on over to Green Valley Crafts to see some other flowery folk

Colour Advice Please

There's been some more progress on the girl's playhouse. We are nearly up to the painting stage but can't decide what colour to paint it. We are into more natural colours than anything too bright and garish and it's right outside our lounge window so must be something that ties in with the garden and that we don't mind looking at all the time. Maybe you can help.

What would you suggest?

Past Projects

A lunch box of knitted food

                                          

 Tiny tarts...

 Cute cookies...

 Egg in a cup...

 Poached egg on toast...

   Vegetables...

 Salad sandwich...

More Macaroons

My second attempt at making macaroons. I used basically the same ingredients but different quantities and this time made them chocolate with a chocolate ganache filling. I'm much happier with the size and the texture is pretty good too...now I just need someone to share them with before I eat them all myself!

Wardrobe Wednesday

This is such a bad pose! I took a photo when I was just about to go out to do some shopping then picked my bag up and thought "I really should have the bag in the photo" so I took another one.

The bag was a birthday present made by my sister Allie:)

Jeans you've seen before

The top was just passed on to me by my (78 year old!) Nanny. Does that mean I dress like a granny or is she just a really trendy granny?! It's a Jeans West top so I reckon she must be a pretty cool Nanny. I would never usually go for this colour but it was free and I quite like the shape of it and now that I've worn it I think the colour is ok.

Here's a close up of my shoes especially for Ninotchka

 And what's that? Jewellery again? Yes I bought this from a shop in Kaikoura several years ago. It goes well with lots of tops and can be used with other pendants so that's why I like it. Think it could do with a jolly good polish though!

What have you been wearing this week? Looking for some inspiration?

You'll find some over here with Clare.

Past Projects

Knitted zoo animals...monkey, panda, lion and elephant and there's a tiger somewhere too but he must be out hunting!

 

They even look cute from behind!

Found him!

Cornish Pasties

 I love Cornish pasties. My Nanny has Cornish ancestors and these are a tradition passed down through her family. I don't make them that often because they're a bit fiddley to prepare and put together but they're so good when they're done. Traditionally they would be made with lard in the pastry but I can't get that so I just use butter. When I eat these I always remember my Great Uncle Jack (Nanny's late brother). I share a birthday with him, as well as my Mum, and on at least two occasions we celebrated our birthdays together in Le Bons Bay eating Cornish Pasties.

Homemade pastry

 Diced swede

 Onion and Salt

 Cubed chuck steak, Salt and Pepper

 Diced Potato

 Seal it up

And cook

Yum